State of New York Archives: on Abortion

Scott Walker:
Supports Personhood Amendment prohibiting all abortions

It was a memorable political ad: Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin spoke directly into the camera in a 30-second spot last fall and called abortion an "agonizing" decision. He described himself as pro-life but, borrowing the language of the abortion rights
movement, pointed to legislation he signed that leaves "the final decision to a woman and her doctor."

That language was gone when Walker met privately with Iowa Republicans in a hotel conference room last month, according to a person who attended
the meeting. There, he highlighted his early support for a "personhood amendment," which defines life as beginning at conception and would effectively prohibit all abortions and some methods of birth control.
But the governor is also making an aggressive effort to win the hearts of the party's Christian conservatives. In doing so, he is stressing a much harder line on social issues than he did just a few months ago.

Lee Zeldin:
Value life & alternatives to parenthood

My personal experiences have deeply impacted my appreciation for the value of life and for the blessing it is to have a child.
For those who may not be ready for parenthood, I believe that alternatives that show respect for life should be offered and available.

John Katko:
All life has worth; and cover prenatal care

Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

A: Pro-life. I believe that all life has worth, every individual has potential, and every child deserves opportunity.
My opponent supports abortion on demand. I do not. And I am opposed to federal funding of abortions.

At the same time, I know the importance of comprehensive preventative and prenatal care for women, and my wife Robin is a registered nurse currently working in women's healthcare in Central New York.
As our Member of Congress, I will ensure that full coverage of maternity care is included in whatever new health care reform is advanced.

Before Astorino had even officially announced his run for governor this week, pro-abortion advocates were already sending out mail attacking his record on women's health. Astorino "has shown flagrant disregard for the core values of the millions of
pro-choice New Yorkers," NARAL Pro-Choice New York wrote in a press release 20 minutes before Astorino officially announced his candidacy. The group said Astorino had, "at every turn demonstrated a profound lack of respect for women's fundamental rights
and basic health care needs."

But Astorino, in his capacity as a county official, hasn't had many chances to take action on abortion-related issues while he's been in office. Astorino, a practicing Catholic, has previously said he opposes abortion,
except in cases of rape, incest or if a woman's life is in danger. In previous elections he's also taken pains to avoid discussing the subject, pivoting toward discussions of the economy or taxes, and calling the issue "hyper-partisan" and "divisive."

Rob Astorino:
Philosophically opposed, but won't fight legal abortion

Astorino said he would not specifically seek out cutting abortion funding, but said, "We'll look at everything. It's what I did in Westchester. We said everything is on the table to look at because we have to get things under control." He noted the state
currently spends about $4 million on programs to help pregnant women and $45 million in state & local funds for abortions.

When asked to clarify whether or not he would specifically seek to curtail funding for abortions, Astorino said no. "Abortion in
this state has been legal for 44 years," he said. "Legal abortion in New York is "not going anywhere."

Asked whether he philosophically opposes spending state money on abortions, Astorino said yes, but wouldn't say whether he'd seek to cut such
spending. Astorino did not state the parameters of his own position on abortion, but said he opposes Cuomo's Women's Equality Act, which would allow for increased access to third-trimester abortions. Astorino equated the bill to legalizing "infanticide."

Kirsten Gillibrand:
Majority of women use contraception; it's not "evil"

The anti-abortion Long spoke out against President Obama's mandate that religious employers who provide worker health insurance cover birth control, with limited exemptions.
Long called it a threat to religious liberties to require people of faith and religious institutions who view abortion and contraception as 'evil' to include them in insurance coverage."

Gillibrand shot back that the overwhelming majority of women use some type of contraception. "To say that's evil shows a
disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life and death decision about her own body and her family," she said.

Source: New York Daily News on 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012

Kirsten Gillibrand:
Let women make life-and-death decision about own body

Sharp distinctions were apparent Wednesday between Long and Gillibrand, who has championed same-sex marriage and women's rights. In one of the most animated exchanges, Long spoke against the mandate that President Barack Obama announced in
January requiring most employers to provide health insurance that covers birth control, a move opposed by many Roman Catholic groups. "If I'm just a private person with a business, and
I have faith that tells me that abortion, sterilization and contraception are evil, will I be forced to buy such a plan, to offer it to my employees?" Long asked.

Gillibrand countered that there is a movement to undermine women's basic rights. "To say that's evil shows disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life-and-death decision about her own body," Gillibrand said.

Sharp distinctions were apparent Wednesday between Long and Gillibrand, who has championed same-sex marriage and women's rights. In one of the most animated exchanges, Long spoke against the mandate that President Barack Obama announced in
January requiring most employers to provide health insurance that covers birth control, a move opposed by many Roman Catholic groups. "If I'm just a private person with a business, and
I have faith that tells me that abortion, sterilization and contraception are evil, will I be forced to buy such a plan, to offer it to my employees?" Long asked.

Gillibrand countered that there is a movement to undermine women's basic rights. "To say that's evil shows disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life-and-death decision about her own body," Gillibrand said.

Source: New York Newsday on 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012

Kirsten Gillibrand:
Require coverage of contraception, even church employees

Gillibrand immediately sought to define Long based on her views on abortion. Long is pro-life and Gillibrand is staunchly pro-choice; the senator's spokesman attacked Long as "far out of step with our state."

The women also differ on a recent plan,
announced by the Obama administration, to require coverage of contraception. Originally Obama mandated that all employers--including some religious hospitals that may have a moral objection--provide contraception coverage in their insurance plans.
After pressure, Obama amended the regulations to require health insurers provide the coverage without employers that object to it paying.

Republicans last week attempted to pass a measure, dubbed the Blunt Amendment, which would allow employers
a "conscience" exemption. Long said she would support it, and attacked Gillibrand's vigorous opposition to it.

"She supports Obama's enforcement of their view on religious institutions & people of conscience who would have a problem with it," Long said

Originally Obama mandated that all employers--including some religious hospitals that may have a moral objection--provide contraception coverage in their insurance plans. Republicans attempted to pass a measure, dubbed the Blunt Amendment, which would
allow employers a "conscience" exemption. Long said she would support it, and attacked Gillibrand's vigorous opposition to it.

"She supports Obama's enforcement of their view on Catholic institutions and all religious institutions and people of
conscience who would have a problem with it. I support permitting churches and people of conscience not to abrogate their conscience. I would be willing to stand up for that and vote for the Blunt Amendment and not, in any way, support what the president
is doing. She is angry and annoyed with the president for considering any kind of compromise, even though it wasn't any compromise, it was just completely cosmetic. She was just annoyed that he would even consider backing off in any way," Long continued.

Source: Capitol Confidential on 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Mar 5, 2012

Wendy Long:
Roe v. Wade was constitutionally flawed legal decision

I think there is a universal understanding among the legal community that Roe v. Wade was a very flawed legal decision. It's a horrible decision from a constitutional law standpoint, and even liberal law professors will tell you that. I believe
that the issue of abortion should be left to the people to decide. The Constitution doesn't mention the word abortion. And if Roe v. Wade were overturned tomorrow, nobody would even notice, because the states are legislating their own laws about abortion

Jay Townsend:
Roe v. Wade should be overturned

Republican Gary Berntsen and Jay Townsend shared many of the same positions in opposing New York's senior senator. Additionally, they each said the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal should be overturned by the court.

During th
YNN-NY1 debate's "lightning round," consisting of yes-or-no questions, Townsend answered that he was once arrested. He told reporters afterward that it was "an exchange of words" 10 years ago, the charge was thrown out and he was acquitted.

Weld fears that Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, may soon be overturned or drastically weakened. That's why he has introduced a bill to make getting an abortion easier in Massachusetts, and to eliminate an 1845 law that
makes any kind of abortion a crime. He sets a good example for other states.

Some states, like New York, had laws permitting abortion before Roe; but in New Hampshire, the Governor has vetoed a bill to repeal a pre-Roe criminal abortion law.
A national standard, like Roe, is thus preferable to uneven state laws. Women who could afford travel could go to states where abortion is legal. The poor would wind up with the back-alley abortionist.

Ideally, women's reproductive freedom
will remain America's law and policy. But failing that, people will have to look to their state governments. Governor Weld offers an admirable example.

Source: N. Y. Times, "Governor Weld's Example"
Oct 5, 1991

The above quotations are from State of New York Politicians: Archives.